The
key to success comes by taking the time to create and develop
differently from what was done before and frontman Andy
Biersack of the rock band Black Veil Brides has shown his
progression. A determined, and concise presentation of who he is was
clearly evident to his public audience. This other side of Andy
Biersack, known as, Andy Black was a revealing part of Andy's
character and musical growth. As if this man hasn’t created a
name for himself between his earlier stage name of “Andy Sixx”
and his birth given name “Andy Biersack” already, Biersack has
now presented himself before the stage as Andy BLACK.

After
a gorgeous long-awaited wedding to his long-time companion, singer
and entrepreneur Juliet Simms back in April, Andy Black released his
first solo full-length album The Shadow Side in early May. Kicking it
all off with a UK tour just a couple of days after the album’s
release then returning to the states in late May. Fans were anxiously
awaiting his arrival and it seemed to many the date of July 1st
couldn’t come quick enough for The Nile Theatre in Mesa, Arizona.

Luckily
for Arizona that night, the heat stayed below the triple digits.
However, humidity decided to come along to the show and the crowd
escalated the fervor for their hero with their passion, sweat,
cheers, singing along and fist pumping. The Nile was a wall to wall
packed house and the merchandise lines in the back of the
venue were unrelenting long and winding throughout the entire night.
These fans laid down their bucks for Andy Black merch!

Finally,
the lights dimmed and the singer, surround on either side by drummer
“Beau” and guitarist-keyboardist “Josh,” (as we
never were told what their real last names were) started
his show. On cue, Black came out straight to the microphone and began
the lyrics to the track “Stay Alive” which features Matt Skiba of
Alkaline Trio on the record (Andy Black claims he has been a huge
influence on his music career). Following right through, Black and
the band jumped into “Ribcage,” the dance track of The Shadow
Side. After these first two songs, Black paused to talk with the
audience, discussing humorous media rumors and offering continuous
praises to his tour crew, band and of course, the fans themselves.

Anybody
who has attended a previous Black Veil Brides show recognizes
Biersack’s admiration for the famous 80s rocker Billy Idol as the
band is famously known to cover Idol’s “Rebel Yell” on stage.
So, to stir things up a bit and continue his tribute to another
enormous influence upon his career, Black throws out a cover of
“Dancing With Myself” originally by Idol; a massive hit among the
parents in the crowd along with a good majority of the younger crowd.

As
the set continued, Black took the time to discuss a common occurrence
he finds while out on tour and even on social media: “If you are a
child, or fall under the child category, please stop shouting weird
sexual things at me. It makes me very uncomfortable and I really want
to keep my shows, whether it’s with Andy Black or Black Veil
Brides, family friendly. Thank you.” Yes, despite that some of us
may feel strongly about this man’s hair, voice, or dress, it is
time to tone it down and keep it respectful. A valid point that
crosses both sides- fans and bands.

Soon,
the show came to a slower speed and Black performed “Beautiful
Pain” which he dedicated to his close friend Chris Holley, who
passed away in mid-2015. Holley was also a part of the BVB crew as he
worked as the guitar engineer out on tour for a time.

Other
fan favorites such as “Louder Than Your Love” (featuring Gerard
Way of My Chemical Romance), “Put The Gun Down” and “Paint It
Black” were also included in the set. Unable to completely separate
himself from his ten-year-old band, Black performed a track off of
Black Veil Brides’ sophomore album Set The World On Fire. “Saviour”
is a song that Black describes as a “love letter” dedicated to
Black Veil Bride’s devoted fan base: the BVB Army.

Too
soon as always, every show must come to an end. For those who keep
tabs on the man, it’s fairly known that the Andy Black project
wasn’t just born yesterday. Back in May of 2014, Black released his
first product: “They Don’t Need To Understand.” A perfect way
to wrap up the night as an ultimate fan favorite as this music video
featured clips of Black growing up; performing in his old bedroom,
playing his guitars and singing with his favorite MisFits makeup on.

Finally,
the encore arrived. Coming back on the stage Black paused for a
moment before performing the real finale. “You know, it’s
actually really funny,” he starts. “Out of all the things the
media likes to criticize about artists, you never hear them talk
about the fact that I just lied to you. I just told you the previous
song was the last song of the night; I lied, and then came back out
to perform the actual last one.” The crowd laughed along
with Black, clearly giving him forgiveness without a second thought
as we would towards any of our favorite artists. With a whiplash
smile and a bright gleam in his eye, the encore kicked in: “We
Don’t Have To Dance.” The upbeat dance track flooded the veins of
each soul in the room and as Black sung out the lyrics he and Patrick
Stump of Fall Out Boy had created about the things they both hate,
there truly was not a higher point anybody in the building could
reach than in that given moment.

For
those who have not been able to attend Black’s show, be sure to
look out for tickets as he plans to hit Mexico, Japan, and
Australia in August and September. Grab your tickets over at
www.andyblackmusic.com as this is a night nobody will want to miss.

Your BANGS! All Time Favorites

Stryper
Brings Metal Stings with Their 30th Anniversary Album Celebration Tour: To
Hell With the Devil with
Song River

It
was a 'sweet' celebration Stryper brought with them everything a
30th-anniversary celebration should bring and then some! The strength
and heart as the yellow and black brought the hard rock attack back
to Arizona, as the Nile Theatre was packed with die hard fans that
came from some sort of faith background so it seemed and included a
wide age group range.

Stryper
really was the premiere heavy metal Christian rock band that came
onto the scene back in the 80's and pioneered the way and without a
doubt still brings the best of it all today. Still working with the
original lineup of vocalist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet,
bassist Timothy Gaines and guitarist Oz Fox hitting the
30th-anniversary release, 1986's album, To Hell With the Devil.
The album spoke to so many when it was released and today those fans
who fell in love with To Hell With the De…

Whether it is the challenge of growing up too fast, playing in a band that he loves, flying solo, working on music projects, the loss of a loved one, or just kicking back at home musician/singer-songwriter Michael Sweet greets each day as if it were to be his first and his last. With an eagerness to say yes and come what may. His faith in God has carried him to say, "I am not a man of many regrets." Song River: Being
on tour for a band must be an almighty passion. What is it though
that most bands do when they have a 'day off' while they are out
touring? Michael Sweet: To
be honest, aside from interviews and social media, it is a day we
finally get to do our laundry! [laughed] I am so OCD about doing
laundry. You got to be the first one up if you want to get it done. Song River: Laundry
day has to be a good day! When you are on the road and away from home
what are some of the things you miss? Michael Sweet: Of
course I don't like being away from my fam…

The beast has captured Japan and now the deliverance of what rock is about culturally is taking America over. VAMPS are a visually dramatic monster to be experienced. It is the perfect union in the darkness of night between theatrics, lyrics, and playing. Unleashed, in full presence they have quickly taken over and conquered triumphantly. It is time for some Sex Blood and Rock N Roll to overtake your city and bite hard into your rock needs. Come and join the VAMPS and feel the dark side of the theatrical night. It is time for a potent injection that bites hard and rocks you off sweetly.Song River: It seems for quite some time Americans have been
sending their bands over to Japan and the people there have embraced
the sounds we produce. Now, we have Japan delivering back and
as always the creative artistic way of thinking from Japan takes a
standard set and turns it up a notch. Creating something that goes
one step beyond the usual. How similar or different are we in this
genre betw…

FIVE FACTS:Trying to think of things people may not know about me, these may be a bit weird... 1. I'm an old-school wrestling fan, going back to the Bob Backlund, Ric Flair, Greg Valentine days. 2. As of recently, for some reason, I really like looking at Instagram photos of giant hamburgers. Something about them makes me feel calm. Check out @burgerlove_aus 3. I fast once or twice a week. 16 to 24 hours - it's like hitting a System Reboot button. (Maybe that's why I like to look at giant hamburgers...) 4. Every morning before my eyes are fully open, I hit the floor and do 60 push-ups. I'll then spend an hour reading articles on science, technology, and more. 5. I'm most comfortable in extreme heat. I wear jackets when it's 95 degrees and don't break a sweat.

FIVE FAVORITE ALBUMS:Kiss – Alive (1975) I was five years old, at my neighbor's house. There were albums all around, belonging to his older brother and…